Public sector corruption sees Sub-Saharan Africa face the highest corruption levels globally.
Nairobi, 10 February 2026 – Corruption remains a serious problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released today by the global Transparency International movement. Kenya, with an average score of 30 out of 100, is among 45 countries in the region that have scored below 50, indicative of a concerning decline in bold and committed leadership to tackle corruption. Weakened standards and a lack of enforcement of existing anti-corruption legislation, as well as gaps in the implementation of the leadership and integrity provisions in the Constitution of Kenya, are lowering the bar and undermining anti-corruption efforts.
Index Report Highlights
- Kenya scores an average of 30 out of 100
- Sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest performing region on the global index of 182 countries
- With an average score of 32 out of 100, only four out of the 49 countries are scoring above 50
- Ten of the 49 countries in the region have significantly worsened since 2012
- Only seven countries have improved in the same period (2012-2024)
- Only 4 out of the 49 countries scored, attained above 50 (Botswana, Rwanda, Cabo Verde and Seychelles)
- Corruption in the management of public funds reflects a lack of political integrity amongst leaders
In the 2024 Corruption Perception Index, Kenya scored 32 points, representing a marginal change from 31 points in 2023. This year, the score dropped by 2 points. The country’s score has largely oscillated between 25 and 33 over the last 13 years, indicating high levels of corruption and stagnation in the fight against corruption despite several legislative and institutional reforms.
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REGION:
The CPI ranks 182 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
- At 68, the Seychelles remains the region’s highest scorer, followed by Cabo Verde (62), Botswana (58) and Rwanda (58).
- The lowest scorers include Sudan (14), Eritrea (13), Somalia (9) and South Sudan (9).
- In East Africa, Rwanda has a score of 58, Tanzania (40), Uganda (25), and Burundi (17).
With an average score of 32 out of 100, and only four out of the 49 countries scoring above 50, Sub Saharan Africa is the lowest-performing region on the global index of 182 countries. Ten of the 49 countries scored in the region have significantly worsened since 2012, and only seven have improved in the same period.
“Kenya’s latest score indicates that corruption is no longer a series of isolated incidents; it has evolved into a sophisticated, resilient system that has permeated all levels of society and government, undermining democracy, the rule of law, good governance, transparency, and accountability,” said Sheila Masinde, Executive Director, TI-Kenya.
“With few high-profile convictions secured for corruption cases coupled by the disturbing pattern of withdrawal of cases witnessed in Kenya and weak prosecution of cases, many offenders have escaped punishment thus perpetuating impunity. To turn the tide against corruption, all criminal justice and oversight institutions mandated to deal with corruption must fully execute their mandates. However, to decisively deal with corruption, anti-corruption laws particularly the leadership and integrity provisions must be fully enforced, to ensure that only individuals that meet the constitutional bar for leadership occupy public office. This may deal with the deep-seated challenges of lack of political will to tackle corruption, individuals that abuse public office to profiteer from public coffers and political interference in institutional mandates.”
KEY FINDINGS GLOBALLY:
The 2025 CPI highlights that corruption is worsening globally, with even established democracies experiencing rising corruption amid a decline in leadership. The annual index shows that the number of countries scoring above 80 has shrunk from 12 a decade ago to just five this year.
The CPI data shows that democracies, typically stronger on anti-corruption than autocracies or flawed democracies, are experiencing a worrying decline in performance. This trend spans countries such as the United States (64), Canada (75) and New Zealand (81), to various parts of Europe, like the United Kingdom (70), France (66) and Sweden (80). Another concerning pattern is increasing restrictions by many states on freedoms of expression, association and assembly. Since 2012, 36 of the 50 countries with significant declines in CPI scores have also experienced a reduction in civic space.
The global average score stands at 42 out of 100, its lowest level in more than a decade, pointing to a concerning downward trend that will need to be monitored over time. The vast majority ofcountries are failing to keep corruption under control: more than two-thirds – 122 out of 180 – score under 50.
For the eighth year in a row, Denmark obtains the highest score on the index (89) and is closely followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84).
“Corruption is not inevitable. Our research and experience as a global movement fighting corruption show there is a clear blueprint for how to hold power to account for the common good, from democratic processes and independent oversight to a free and open civil society. At a time when we’re seeing a dangerous disregard for international norms from some states, we’recalling on governments and leaders to act with integrity and live up to their responsibilities to provide a better future for people around the world,” said François Valérian, Chair of the TI International Board.
Download the 2025 CPI Report Here
Download the Full TI-Kenya 2025 CPI Report launch press statement here
